Would You Like To Have Smart Glasses That Adapt To Every Situation? Photochromic Lenses Are The Solution

Photochromic lenses look just like ordinary prescription lenses. However, when exposed to UV rays, they darken like sunglasses. This is due to a chemical reaction of molecules called indolino-spironaphthoxylazines that coat the lenses and unfold in sunlight. This is how the lenses darken, filtering up to 80% of light.

When exposure to light decreases, the lenses clear up again on their own until they regain full transparency, although this process is a little slower (it can take up to ten minutes, depending on the type of glass, temperature, manufacturer…).

These lenses are very practical, especially for people who are quite active outdoors, such as outdoor workers who are often exposed to sudden changes in brightness, although they are perfectly valid for anyone who needs prescription glasses but does not want to give up the protection of sunglasses without the need to constantly change frames.

The only thing you should keep in mind is that car windshields block much of the ultraviolet radiation, preventing photochromic glasses from getting dark enough to improve vision while driving.

Here is a list of the main advantages of photochromic lenses:

• Two glasses in one: with photochromic lenses you will have prescription glasses that turn into sunglasses whenever necessary.
• They avoid visual fatigue: their intelligent adaptation means an important rest for the eyes. They also prevent glare and improve contrast perception.
• Protect from the sun: photochromic lenses block harmful UVA and UVB rays in the same way that sunglasses do.

Polarized Glasses, Everything You Should Know

Surely you have ever wondered what is so special about polarized lenses and whether it is worth using them. Actually, whether a pair of glasses is polarized is not going to determine whether they provide better or worse protection from UV rays, but they do have an important advantage over normal sunglasses in that they block the reflections produced by the sun on horizontal surfaces.

And how do they do it? To filter out reflections coming from the horizontal direction, the lenses are polarized vertically by superimposing a thin film that neutralizes reflections. This is why polarized glasses are especially recommended for driving, sailing, skiing or cycling, as they block reflections from asphalt, water and snow. Moreover, since they offer better contrast and color perception, they are ideal for these types of activities.

This type of glasses is also especially recommended for people with high sensitivity to light and since polarized lenses can be combined with all types of UV filters and can be applied on prescription lenses and even progressive lenses, your choice does not necessarily have to go through the practice of a sport.

And do you know how to check if some lenses are polarized or not? Apparently they are the same as the others, there is nothing in their appearance to indicate that they have any special treatment, but there are a couple of tricks that will help you.

First of all, you should look to see if the lens is engraved with a small “P” as in the case of the Ray-Ban Aviator 002/58. It is also possible to find the “P” on the inside of one of the temples. If you are not able to locate it, take the glasses and put them in front of a computer screen, a cell phone or a similar device. Place it in a horizontal position, as if you were wearing it, and then rotate it to a vertical position. If it is polarized, you will see how when you rotate the goggle, the image on the screen is blocked and no longer visible or becomes very dark through the lenses.

This useful trick gives rise to one of the main disadvantages of polarized glasses. During their use, the images on LCD screens can be particularly dark and with altered colors.

So no, they are not all advantages, but polarized glasses still offer some features that can be really useful.